Houston Rockets Do Not Have A True Center

P.J. Tucker is an amazing player and gives the game his all, but he really is not a center. Tucker is only 6’5” and while he is one of the toughest players in the league, he is much better playing power-forward. Being able to have DeMarcus Cousins come in and be a true center gives the Houston Rockets not only a rebounding threat but a guy they can take a chance on. 

Most likely, DeMarcus Cousins will not start for the Rockets and will come off the bench behind Christian Wood to start the season. This gives Cousins time to be 100% before stepping back out on the basketball court and allows him to dictate the pace at which he plays. After three significant injuries, DeMarcus Cousins’ health has to be taken into consideration and they want to ease him back into the game. 

If DeMarcus shows that he is ready to play at a high level again and be a shade of the dominant player he once was, this will help Houston drastically. The Rockets have been a middle-of-the-pack rebounding team the last few seasons with their “small-ball” philosophy, which is why they need a reliable center. 

Taking a chance on DeMarcus Cousins is a win-win scenario for the Rockets because if Cousins can still play, it gives them a former All-Star talent on the court and if he cannot play anymore, they have Christian Wood who has been improving as a rebounder and shot-blocker over the last few seasons. The Rockets cannot lose in this scenario but would love to get the most out of “Boogie” Cousins so they can have a true, powerful center.